At times I feel lucky to be born towards the end of the 20th century. Because I am now a witness of drastic changes that the last 25 years have seen- be it the advent of dish tv, inverter, pager, mobile phone, satellite tv, laptop, internet, and so on and so forth.
So when I was asked what that one device that changed my life was, I was at loss of words. For there are so many things that have changed my life to better. While I was thinking about it, my phone started beeping to notify me that I have received an e-mail. And that was the Eureka moment!! For now I know what that one device is that has changed my life drastically. It is my smart phone!!

Want to know how?? Read on..

1) The very first day I learnt to read, my love-hate relation with newspaper started. My father wanted me to read newspaper everyday. How I hated it then!! But as it happens in our bollywood movies, pehle takraar phir pyaar, I also fall in love with newspaper. But ever since I started working in IT sector, I don't find time to read newspaper regularly, as all my time gets consumed in blogging and my day job as IT engineer. Whatever time is left goes in commuting. But thanks to my smart phone, I am able to manage my time effectively now. While travelling to office, I read newspaper on my mobile and thus keep myself updated.

2) I started Knowledge Hub last year in December. In order to provide authentic information to my readers, I need to do a lot of research, which in turn means time investment.
Earlier whenever I used to get some idea for my next article, I would jot it done somewhere and after returning from office I would invest some time in researching about it. Once I had collected enough information, I would start writing.
All this meant around 1.5-2.5 hours of work.
And this also meant a grumbling girlfriend. Because I couldn't give much time to her (a day has 24 hours only!!)
But now since I have my smart phone with me, I do the research part in the cab while returning from the office. This saves me time, which I'm able to spend with my girlfriend. :)

3) I still rue the fact that I missed Sachin's 200 in ODI!! :( Reason being I was travelling that time and did not have a smart phone that would have let me see the match. But now thanks to my phone, oops, sorry, SMART phone, I won't ever miss Sachin's record again (there are many more to come :) )

4) My sister gave birth to a beautiful kid last week. Tough I was not there, I still was able to share those moments of happiness through live video chat with my sister and brother-in-law. I don't have to wait till New Year (when I'll be going home) to see my nephew. And the credit goes to my smart phone, which has bridged the distance between me and my family.

These are just some of the ways my smart phone has changed my life. No doubt I'm completely in love with it!! Who wouldn’t be??

How do you react when you get a call at 2 in the night telling you that your friend is no more?How do you console the girl for whom he was her little world ?What do you tell her when she asks you if this is a bad dream, when both of you know it is not ?

Wish I had answers to these questions !Wish I didn't had to come across such a situation !

But no matter how much I wish, how much I pray, how many times I pinch myself, nothing will change. Abhishek won't return.

We met last year. He being boyfriend of my very good friend, I wanted to make sure he's perfect for her. And perfect he was. Never did I come across a guy who was so much dedicated to his girl friend. He would go to any limits to fulfill her craziest wish. He pampered his "Shona" in a way no one else could. On our very first meeting we became good friends. Being in different cities we didn't meet much, we talked rarely over phone, but that communication gap was filled by our girl friends, who are best friends. So we were never out of touch. And the more I came to know about him, the more I respected him.

He was adventurous, carefree, spontaneous and impulsive. But I saw his other side also. Remember buddy the day we had a drink together in your flat ? He went emotional and discussed his life with me. He said he didn't have much time left to shape his future if he want to settle with the love of his life. Being older to him I tried to give him whatever advice I could. I could see how desperately he was working to fulfil their small dream. I said a silent prayer for them that day. Little did I know then that not all prayers are answered. I realize this today the hard way.

We owe some of the memorable moments of our life to Abhishek and his 'Shona'. 21st December, the most memorable day of our life, became special because of them. Being in different cities the only way we could celebrate together was wishing each other over phone at midnight. I went to meet her on 20th Dec. We knew that our fantasy of wishing each other face to face at midnight will not come true and we had accepted it. But there was a surprise in store for us. Abhishek and his 'Shona' made some arrangements and took us for the night show of "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'. Four of us watched that movie together. It was for the first time she was with me on that special day, all because of them. And as if that was not enough, when we came out after the movie, there was a cake and bouquet waiting for us in the car. That night while returning I saw a shooting star. I wished we four be together for ever. I was told shooting stars fulfil your wish. Was that a lie ? Forever meant just this much?

Towards the end of my college, they sent me testimonials through post. This is what he wrote for me:

Buddy what happened to your promise of being with us always ? What happened to the promise you made to your shona ? What shall I answer when she asks me why Babaji took her Bholu Baby from her ? Who will take her to Shirdi on 3rd Oct- the day you both would have completed 2 years ?

For past so many days I thought of calling you, but everyday after returning from office I told myself that I'll call tomorrow. Wish I hadn't waited so long !